Building relationships first order of business for new Misawa Air Base commander

  • Published
  • By Capt. Darrick B. Lee
  • 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  The newest commander of the 35th Fighter Wing and Misawa Air Base installation, who assumed command in a ceremony at the Misawa flightline Aug. 31, conducted his first order of business Sept. 1 as he met with the mayor of Misawa, the Misawa Defense Office and the commander of the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force's 3rd Air Wing.

"The last time I was here, I was a lot younger," said Col. Michael Rothstein, during his conversation with Mayor Kazumasa Taneichi of Misawa. Colonel Rothstein, a fighter pilot with more than 2,400 flight hours, served with the13th Fighter Squadron during his first tour with the wing years ago. "Now that I have a family, I look forward to seeing Japan through a whole new view."

Mayor Taneichi stressed communication as being key to maintaining a strong relationship between the installation and the city of Misawa. Colonel Rothstein agreed, acknowledging the challenges that exist as U.S. and Japanese cultures merge to form the Misawa community.

"I know we'll see lots of good things happening," Colonel Rothstein said, referring to his new assignment. "But I also know we'll occasionally experience some challenges. It will be how we work together to deal with those challenges that strengthens our relationship."

Communication was the primary message being delivered as Col. Rothstein continued his tour. In a meeting with the chief of the Misawa Defense Office, Akihiro Takeuchi, the two focused on ensuring information-sharing between the two offices would remain constant. Likewise, while discussing similarities in Japanese and U.S. aviation with 3rd AW Commander General Hiroaki Maehara, bilateral learning was the primary focus.

Colonel Rothstein commands a combat-ready F-16CJ fighter wing composed of nearly 3,100 personnel, and sustains forces and facilities worth more than $2 billion. Colonel Rothstein oversees a 13,000-person installation which supports eight associate units representing three U.S. military services -- Air Force, Army and Navy -- and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.